daimyo garden
Yukizuri – 雪吊り
Hamarikyu garden When visiting Japanese gardens in winter, one will recognize some strange ropes and mats around the pine trees and some other plants. These are called Yukizuri 雪吊り and Fuyugakui 冬囲い. Both are meant to protect the trees from the weight of snow. In Tokyo there is seldom so much snow, that the trees need […]
Treasure Ship – 宝船 ・ Ship Stone – 船石 explained
What I always tried to find out was the relationship between the Treasure Ship (takarabune) with the Seven Lucky Gods (shichifukujin), and the Ship Stone (funaishi). Now that I stuck at home, I have time to investigate! Let’s start with a more or less short explanation of these three: Treasure Ship – takarabune – 宝船 This […]
Tokyo’s Admirable Gardens
You might think, real Japanese gardens can be found within Kyoto alone. Today I want to convince you that this is not true. There are also admirable gardens in Japan’s modern capital Tokyo. If you are already on my side, please read anyhow, you will see beautiful garden pictures and might discover the one or […]
Special maintenance techniques used in Kyoto Gosho
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is a special place. A place full of tradition, elegance, beauty and national treasures. The maintenance of gardens in Kyoto is still highly rated, but even here, the Kyoto Imperial Palace is special. Today I would like to introduce two traditional techniques, which are still conducted in Kyoto Gosho today, but […]
Kobori Enshu-style gardens in Shizuoka and Aichi prefecture
Kyoto and Tokyo are well known for their density of fine Japanese gardens. What fewer people know is, that also other areas have quite a few reasonable Japanese gardens. One of these I would like to introduce today. Shizuoka Prefecture, former Tōtōmi Province (another name: Enshū) Before the daimyō system was demolished in 1871, the […]
Some tips for creating a real Japanese garden at your home.
I won’t show “bad example” pictures and link to bad articles here! If you search via Google, I am sure you will find a lot by yourself. When I see links promising me to teach me how to built a Japanese garden in only a few steps, I just can’t withstand and have to follow […]
Good Garden Day 2015 Rikugien visit
On Saturday’s Good Garden Day, I took the chance to visit the gardens of Rikugien in Tokyo. Just as a reminder, this garden was originally created in the Edo period (c. 1603 – 1868), and then recreated in the Meiji period (1868 – 1912). I thought this a prime opportunity to see some beautiful autumnal […]
Rikugien Garden eBook – Discover Tokyo’s Waka Poetry Garden
We are excited to present our new Rikugien Garden eBook, part of the Famous Gardens of Tokyo series. This release brings us close to the completion of the collection! Rikugien – A Garden of Waka Poetry When researching Tokyo’s gardens, one quickly sees that no two are alike, even though most were created in the […]
Tokyo Garden Events in October 2015
2015 October 1st. : Entrance will be free in all great gardens of Tokyo (Except Shinjuku Gyoen!). Rikugien 24.10. 2015 Shamisen Concert13h & 14h Every weekend in October + 12.10. 2015 (Monday), except 25.10. 2015 (Sunday)Edo Daikagura and Fröbel mini concert, Daikagura3.10. 201512h, 13.30h, 14.30h, 15.30h Daikaguraother dates12h, 13h, 14.30h, 15.30h Fröbel mini concert3.10. 201513h […]
Hamarikyū Garden eBook – Explore Tokyo’s Edo-Period Seaside Garden
I proudly present our new eBook in the “Famous Gardens of Tokyo” series. Hamarikyū Garden – Edo Period Seaside Garden Hamarikyū is not only a Japanese garden but also a large park on the edge of Tokyo Bay. Like many gardens in Tokyo, it dates back to the Edo period. The Southern Garden is a […]